Distilling system



Dec. 31, 1940. M. F. MoRAN DISTILL'ING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 19, 1939 lvl INVENTOR. Md/f/en/ WWW/7 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED 4STATES PATENT vOFFICE This invention relates to cleaners solvent treat'-l ing systems and has for a primary object, the provision of a continuous distilling system for liquids customarily employed in garment cleaning plants and where such liquids may be eifectively re-employed when the foreign matter collected thereby is removed.

It is well known in this art that systems of the aforementioned character, have been installed but l found to be inefcient, expensive to operate, prohibitive as to installation cost, and therefore economically undesirable. this invention, therefore, is to provide a distilling system which may be employed as a continuous l ow or batch treating equipment. One of the important aims of this invention is to provide a distilling system wherein a heat ex-Y changer is arranged for the purpose of cooling vapors evolved in the still as the same are passed i() to a storage reservoir, such exchanger'being designed to form a part of the passageway for the solvent being treated, from a cooling tank tothe vaporizer orv still. Y v

n A still further aim of the invention is to provide a still wherein the cleaners solventis raised to the end-point and caused to vaporize and therefore eliminate therefrom, all of the foreign matters such as entrained solids, hydrocarbons of relatively low end-point, and moisture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a still Vor vaporizing unit, a group of radiators normally. disposed within the still, yet removable therefrom as aunitfor the purpose of cleaning the interior of the-still from time-to time, and also to allow maintenance and replacement of parts when such becomes necessary.

Another object of the invention is the vprovision'of means for utilizing the heat generated within the still, to preheat the cleaners solvent as it approaches the spray nozzles within the still from the heat exchanger wherein the relatively cool solvent has served to condense vapors evolved within the still and wherein the temperature' of 45 the solvent approaching the spray heads, has been slightly raised by virtue of the heat ltransfer established in the exchanger due to the simulta- 5 the heat generated by theaforesaid radiators;

The main object of and the specicmanner of disposing a series of ba'iles and a group of radiators within the still v so that solvent from the spray heads will be quickly vaporized and carried back to the reservoir where it may be re-employed. y

All of the major and secondary objects of the invention set down hereinabove, will be made clear during the following specification, referring to the accompanying schematic drawing,v wherein one illustrated embodiment is shownmerely for the purpose of disclosing the manner in which the broad concepts of thisinvention might be built intoy a system susceptible of use by either large or small dry cleaners and' where the amount of solvent to be treated varies to an appreciable 1`5` degree. v

Referring particularly to the systemillustrated,

the numeral I0 designates a cooling tank for the cleaners solvent which may be disposed ata convenient location for the purpose of having the used solvent introduced thereto. until desired to operate the system. k j l Y A pressure pump I2 interposed in a pipe line I4 leading to filter I6 draws the solvent from tank I0 to force the same through lter IIS into 25 heat exchanger I8 by way of pipe 20. Filter I6 may or may not be used, the employment thereof being desirable when thev solvent to be treated has collected a large amount of solids which should be removed by filtration so that therefciency of the hereinafter mentioned still, will not be lowered. l

Heat exchanger I8 is specially formed to the end that a cavity 22 is created inthe shell 24 thereof which is outlined by the annular wall of shell.24 and the header partitions 26 disposed adjacent to and in. spaced relation with the ends 28 of shell 24. Cavity 22 is in communication with pipe 2D and when pump I2 Yis operated, thek liquid being treated isv introduced into cavity 22 0 to fill the same to a point where it will pass therefrom through conduit 30, -terminating `at spray heads 32. That portion ofconduit 30 between spray heads 32 and exchanger I8 is formed into a preheating coil 34y wound around the upper portion of still 36. Coil 34 is housed within a jacket 38 having a lling of insulating material 4D therein so as to precludethe undesirable cooling of the solvent as it passesthrough preheating coil 34.

Heat exchanger I8 may be supported by legs or the like 42 and the upper and lower hollow heads 44 and 46 respectively, arevin communication with pipes 48 and 50 respectively, Pipe 43 55r a conical bottom member 60 through which isl provided an outlet port 62 in communication with steam trap 64 through the medium of pipe 66. Pipe 68 extending from steam trap 64 is the means for returning the condensate from still 36 to the point of steam generation.

Inner shell l0 of still 36 is of the same general contour as outer shell 58 but smaller to the.

extent of permitting the establishment of a space 12 between outer and inner shell 58 and 10 respectively. These two shells forming `the major members of still 36 may be held together by spacers of conventional and ordinary construction, rand the outlet port 14 in the conical bottom of inner shell 10 is in communication with a valved drain pipe '16.

A sight glass 18 arranged to disclose tor the operator the level of matter deposited 'in the bottom of inner shell 10, may be conveniently arranged, and a pop-off valve is at the top of still 36 and in operative relation with space 12.

A thermometer 82, or similar instrument for indicating temperatures within still 36, is contemplated, and a pressure gauge 84 ismounted on a branch .of pipe 86 which leads to a heat controlled steam governor 8B. The automatic steam valve and governor 88 is interposed in line 90 which interconnects a steam generator, not here shown, and one of the radiators 92 mounted on frame 94 within the inner shell 10 of sun sa.

A cover 95, removably retained at the upper ends of inner and outer shells 10 and 58 respectively, may be secured to annulus 96 that closes the upper end of space 12 so as to complete the provision of a steam space 'l2 which is open only at its outlet port 62 and at an inlet port 98, which is in communication with pipe |00 leading to the lowermost radiator 92.

Radiators 92 progressively increasefin diameter as the lowermost radiator is approached from the one immediately below uppermost radiator 92, which is in connection with steam pipe 90. Uppermost radiator 92 has an eye |02 there-` on so that when cover is removed4 and the necessary pipe connections loosened, all of radiators 92, together with frame. 94 and baille plates |04, may be removed from the still asa unit. Each radiator 92 is formed of a pair of bellied plates, the annular edges of which are welded together to form a closed compartment. 'I'he upper faces of. radiators 92 are convex so that any moisture tending to cool thereon,` willA iiow by gravity towards the bottom of still' 36. The relative sizes of radiators 92 with respect to their diameters, is important, for when liquid runs from one radiator 92 it will drop by gravity upon the upper convex face of the radiator next below. Y

Steam passing into upper radiator 92 flows therefrom to the radiator next therebelow through a coupling `|06-in fact, all radiators 92 are joined by couplings |06 which have one end connected to the lowermost point oi' the bottom wall of each of said radiators. The point of juncture between-couplings |06 and the upper walls of radiators 92 is not of particular importance, other than the yconnection should be made to one side of the center so that the steam Vwill impinge upon the walls of the radiators and not pass in aV straight channel therethrough. The reason for joining the upper ends of couplings |06 and the lower walls of radiators 92. as indicated, is to insure that any condensate cooling within radiators 92 will flow by gravity through coupling |06 to the radiator next below. Obviously, the arrangement ofradiators 92, couplings |06, andvpipe |00, is such as to maintain the same entirely'free from condensate.

Under normal operation, steam entering through pipe 90 will quickly flow through all radiators 92 and the interconnecting couplings |06, and thence to space 'l2 by way of pipe |00. Spacel 'l2 will be completely iilled with steam and as the same is reduced to vapor and condenses, the liquid will enter trap 64. If no con- 7 densation occurs, steam will pass out through pipe 66 to steamtrap 64 where it will of necessity.be reducedr to' liquid for rfc-introduction into the steam generator, not illustrated.V Manhole |08 provided with a cover H0 permits accessto the innermost chamber of still 36, and when it is necessary to lift the radiators 92 from within the still, spray heads 32 may be removed through this manhole.

- Batlle plates |04 are open at their centers and arched as illustrated, so as to direct the nely divided condensate escaping from spray heads 32, toward radiators 92. They also tend to direct any solvent that may remain in a liquid form, toward the inner face of inner shell 10, which is maintained 'at ra temperature Vabove the endpoint of the solventbeing treated, and therefore a reduction to 'vapor is immediately effected and the vapor is drawn upwardly and `out through pipe 48. j

While the operation` of the system will be at once obvious to one skilled in the art, through an understanding of Athe foregoing description of one physical embodiment of the invention. it will be advantageous to know that in actual operation, the temperatureofwthe solvent or liquid being treated, will be raised about 100 F. as it passes through heat exchanger I8, and while the condensable vaporsr are passing downwardly from hollow head 44 tofsimilar head 46 through a plurality of flues ||2 held in spaced relation by partitions 26. When the still is in operation, the upper portion thereof is maintained at a very high temperature, and when the solvent passes `through preheater coil 40 its temperature is raised to a point within 15 or 20 of that of its vaporization.

It is understood that the specific arrangement of parts, the relationbetween some of the afore-` mentioned elements of the system, and the detailed manner of employing the apparatus, may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what ,isv

claimed as new and desired to be secured Aby Letters Patent is:

1. In a distilling' system for cleaners" solvent; a still provided with a vaporizing chamber therein; a plurality of radiators within said chamber; means for supplying steam to the radiators; and spray heads within the still, said radiators being arranged with their axes on a vertical line, the diameters of the radiators progressively increasing as the lowermost radiator is approached whereby liquid dropping by gravity from one radiator will fall upon the radiator next below said spray heads being disposed to direct solvent against the bottoms of the radiators.

2. In a distilling system for cleaners solvent; a still provided with a vaporizing chamber therein; a plurality of radiators within said chamber; means for supplying steam to the radiators; and spray heads within the still, said radiators having upper and lower walls, bellied to present convex outer faces and concave inner faces, said radiators each being disposed horizontally one above the other, each radiator being connected to the one therebeneath by a coupling joined to the bellied lower wall thereof at the lowermost point `thereof said couplings having their lower ends in connection with the respective radiators to one side of the connection between the lower walls of the radiators and the couplings.

3. In a still for systems of the character described, a double walled, hollow vaporizer provided with an outlet portl at the top thereof; a plurality of spray heads through which to introduce the solvent being treated; a plurality of substantially disc shaped, hollow radiators within the vaporizer; couplings interconnecting the radiators; and a frame removably holding the radiators in assembled relation one above thevother within the vaporizer, the uppermost radiator being connected with a source of steam, the lowermost radiator being in communication with the space between the walls of the vaporizer, said spray heads being disposed to direct solvent against the undersides of the radiators.

4. In a still for systems of the character described, a double walled, hollow vaporizer provided with an outlet port at the top thereof; a plurality of spray heads through lwhich to introduce the solvent beingl treated; a plurality of substantially disc shaped, hollow radiators within the vaporizer; couplings interconnecting the radiators; and a frame removably holding the radiators in assembled relation one above the solvent passing therethrough radially to` ward one of said radiators.

5. In a still for systems of the character described, a unitary radiator assembly adapted for quick removal and insertion to and from respectively the still, comprising a frame having a plurality of spaced apart standards; a series of hollow radiators with outwardly bellied walls carried in spaced apart relation by the standards; pipes extending at an angle downwardly and outwardly from each radiator to the radiator next below to interconnect the same; and arched baflies on the frame, certain of the baies being formed with concave upper faces, certain of the baflles having convex upper faces, said radiators progressively decreasing in diameter as the upper end of the frame is approached, the uppermost baiile and the lowermost radiator having means for joining the radiator assembly to a source of steam the still being provided with spray heads directed at the radiators when thev radiator assembly is in the operative position.

6. In a distilling system for cleaners solvent, a still provided with a vaporizing chamber therein and arranged to be heated by a steam jacket; a plurality of disc-shaped radiators on a frame within said chamber and removable from the still as a unit; means for supplying steam to the radiators; spray heads within the still to spray the radiators with solvent; and a conduit for supplying solvent to the spray heads, said conduit having a portion thereof coiled in contact with the still jacket for preheating the sol-l vent `as it approaches the spray heads.

MATTHEW F. MORAN. 

